AFLW: Marinoff's a Rising Star

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 4: Ebony Marinoff of the Crows tackled by Jade Ransfield of the Lions during the 2017 AFLW Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval on March 4, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

The physical onballer led the competition for tackles with 70 from seven home and away games – a staggering 21 more than the next-best player. She was also No.2 for total pressure acts (112) in the minor round.

Marinoff was recruited from the Morphettville Park Football Club where she is a three-time premiership player. The left-footer has represented South Australia at youth and senior level, and played for Melbourne in the wildly successful women’s exhibition game last year. She was named an All Australian in 2016 after the AFL Women’s exhibition series.

The eligibility for the AFL Women’s Rising Star award is the same as in the men’s competition. Nominees must be under the age of 21 at January 1, 2017, and have played no more than 10 games. The overall winner must also not have been suspended during the season.

The only difference is that two players (rather than one) were nominated after each round.